Eric Clapton and his music

SergeK
Я имею в виду в песнях №№1-5,9-10,13

Наконец-то купил ДВД - посмотрел, и осталось у меня двоякое впечатление. С одной стороны, это то, о чем я уже давно мечтал, с тех самых пор, как увлекся Клэптоном, и Крим в частности. А с другой..... на самом деле все-таки этот ДВД лишний раз показывает, что мечты должны оставаться мечтами. Потому что в конечном счете, это все-таки не Крим, а Клэптон с ритм-секцией Брюс-Бэйкер. Все сыгранно очень аккуратненько, чистенько, видно, что стараются, но все как-то, стерильно что ль очень. Как два последних сольника Эрика. Искорки нет.
И конечно на Брюса и Бэйкера без слез не взглянешь, сразу видно, что жизнь их потрепала. Да истарость явно не радость.

2Alex Red:
>Сегодня получил из Амазона "Легенды в Монтрё".
>Надо сказать, что удовольствие получаю от концерта по полной программе.

Помнится мне, что кое-кто не хотел слушать "джазового" Клэптона! ;))))

>А что за гитару Страт Эрик использует? Вроде он в это время на другой играл.
Он на ней играл весь 1997 и записывал T.D.F. & PILGRIM.

Clapton Signature Model Strat with custom gold-leaf finish and 23-carat gold-plated hardware.

Ну а теперь... Ну а теперь... Ну а теперь!!!
Сейчас идет первый концерт в МСГ. Фотки с телетайпной ленты...

Guitarist Eric Clapton performs as part of a Cream reunion concert at Madison Square Garden in New York October 24, 2005. The band performed as part of a three-night series in New York.

By BEN RATLIFF
Published: October 25, 2005
When venerable rock bands mobilize their management, their lawyers, their crews and matériel, and go back on the road, there's usually some degree of padding in their shows. A horn section, backup singers, an extra guitarist or keyboardist in the shadows all buttress the sound, firming it up.

The major attraction of Cream's limited reunion is that it's only the three of them, as forceful or sludgy or spindly as they may be. You must factor in their age, the encroachment of mellower temperaments. But still, the band was recognizable last night at Madison Square Garden in its heavy greasiness, its stomp, its throaty singing and some of its blare.

Cream existed only briefly in the late 60's and so is fixed in history a certain way, as purveyors of intense, long-form playing. Last night's efficient, more formalized set didn't conform to the historical record, but if you've been watching closely, you already know that. The band put on a series of shows in London in May, and the concert at the Garden generally adhered to those shows' set lists - and to the exact track order on the live album and DVD from those shows, "Royal Albert Hall" (Reprise), released three weeks ago.

Like the London shows, the concert heavily reinforced the notion of Cream as an overdriven blues band, with the band's versions of Skip James, Willie Dixon and Robert Johnson mixed in with its better-known originals, from "White Room" to "Sunshine of Your Love." ("Tales of Brave Ulysses" was the only surprise, a deviation from the new live album. "Never before done onstage," Eric Clapton declared when it was finished.)

But blues is Mr. Clapton's bread and butter, and he played it well, superbly at times; if there were few frenetic outbursts, he still played riffs beautifully, like the one in "Born Under a Bad Sign." Except when Mr. Clapton overpowered the sound with high-note soloing, Cream is a band with a low center of gravity, reinforced by Jack Bruce's bass playing and Ginger Baker's drumming. Holding his sticks at the bottom to wield maximum thump, Mr. Baker displayed a version of rock drumming that was at least half tom-toms.

Cream was at its best when cruising in mid-tempo or slower. In "Sweet Wine" there was a feeling of settling in, and the band did what great groups do: subtly adjust the dynamics around what you're supposed to hear, which in this case was one of Mr. Clapton's better solos. In "Stormy Monday," the audience adjusted its own dynamics: when Mr. Clapton sped up his licks, organizing them into hectic focus, there was a rising, calibrated roar.

As a bonus in a clockwork show, there were even a few longueurs, like Mr. Bruce's extended harmonica solo in Muddy Waters's "Rollin' and Tumblin'," and "We're Going Wrong," full of slow, sticky dread.

You couldn't afford a ticket? It's really all right. Watch the DVD.

October 24, 2005
Cream - Madison Square Garden, New York

Review #1

What can I say? Well, I don't regret going to see these concerts, provided they will be as good as tonight! Though I have to say and we knew this already, the RAH was special, from the first to the last concert. That will never happen again.

The set list was almost identical, apart from Tales of Brave Ulysses. According to Eric "Never done live before"! And I think it sounded great. In general I can say I enjoyed the concert very much. I think Eric's playing was great (I think Ginger and Jack are always playing well as far as I know!) and believe it or not, there was actually some jamming!!!! Real jamming!!! I don't think I have ever seen that before! Great versions of Sleepy Time Time (with jamming), Stormy Monday and I'm So Glad.

And there was some real fighting on stage too, really like in the old days! Fighting between Jack and Ginger. Jack complaining that Ginger was playing too loud, Ginger cooling down and than all of a sudden beating the drums like a maniac....!!! And this didn't happen one time...I have no idea what Eric must have thought.... He probably regretted doing these dates... Oh well, I guess if he doesn't enjoy it he still needs the money!!!

Some other things about the concert: visually not as good as the RAH, I thought the back of the stage was well done in London. Now it was a little bit the same, but less. And the audience: well you could have guessed - Cream? Who are they? Do have hit singles? And of course the usual phoning, champagne Charlies, walking in out to buy merchandise and of course Stormy Monday was a great relieve, finally a song during which you can talk to each other! And I always have the pleasure to be seated between the VIP's... The ones who find it more important to be backstage than seeing the show! But I have to say they behaved quite well.

Review #2
Same as RAH with addition of "Tales...". Musically, I'd say the worst of the five 2005 shows so far. No chemistry. Mostly because Jack and Ginger were fighting. Not to the point where it interrupted the set, but there was great tension between the two of them that was clearly evident. EC just played along. This night probably reminded him of why he quit this outfit 37 years ago. Occasionally some nice musical moments though; particularly We're Going Wrong and Stormy Monday. Eric used the Wah Wah for White Room, as well as Tales. Opening of White Room had Ginger playing the drums to Toad; he read the set list wrong. They had to stop and start again.

Review #3
First three songs were pretty weak by comparison to any of the london shows, but after that, every song was better than anything played in london, recorded or not. All three band members played with more energy, and more creativity than ever before. The audience was on their feet the entire show (I was in Section 2, R row 4, seat 4). Eric used a wahwah pedal on Tales of Brave Ulysis, and White Room (not in London) and the Decibil level was much more akin to cream in the 60's. Eric also came closer to using feedback on a few leads, and played with much more distortion. Nobody can say there were no Marshall stacks on stage either, becasue both Jack and Eric had the miniture ones (as in a few inches tall - the ones you use to goof off with - toys really)
Crossroads was much closer to the winterland version, and Ginger had a senior moment and started playing Toad when he should have been starting Tales of Brave Ulyses. Jack made a joke about it and said "That was Ginger's solo - (it was about 30 seconds before they stopped and started over) The audience laughed, and it was great comic relief, though I am sure there is a critic out there who will use this point to take pot shots at the performance!

This show was a must see, and I can't wait till tomorrow.

Summary: Cream today is every bit as creative and energetic as it was the first time I saw them at the Anahiem Convention center in 1967. What little they lack in volume and raw energy they more than make up for with musical experience, and wisdom. Anyone who says differently either did not see them the first go round, or destroyed to many brain cells with bad acid.

Серж, плиз, выйди в чат. Сорри за офф-топ ;)